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October 30, 2008 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
The Ballot Is Stronger Than A Bullet, But
Apparently Not American Idol
Americans have a lot of choices to make each day from what color of slacks to wear to what type of pain reliever will work, and whether Pepsi or Coke should be their drink of choice. Some will deliberate on these choices, others will make snap decisions, and many will ask for advice.
There are those who will drive to five different stores to get the brand of steak sauce that they believe is the best. They will shop for hours at a mall looking for a pair of shorts that doesn’t ride up. And when their child has to have the latest Disney movie, they will search hundreds of sites on the Internet until they find the one source that doesn’t say “out of stock.”
That’s how it should be. One of the greatest things about being an American is that we do have choices, and we have a wealth of resources available to us.
But when it comes to selecting a new president —the person most instrumental in preserving these freedoms and protecting our rights, the person who holds the economic balance of our future in his or her hands – almost half of Americans it would seem are more interested in choosing a new hairdo than a president.
In 1960, 63.1 percent of the voting-age population voted in the presidential election, and it hasn’t been that high since. In the last presidential election held in 2004, 55.3 percent voted.
More people vote on the outcome of the Super Bowl, their favorite American Idol and on people who think they can dance, than in a presidential election. What does that say about our nation? Does half of our nation’s population really think singing, dancing and sports are more important than defending our nation and providing for our children’s future?
A Fox News poll taken in 2006 reported that one in three American Idol viewers believed that voting for America’s next top star was as important as voting for America’s next president. A Washington DC research firm showed that 35 percent of those polled felt they were making better use of their time voting for the next Grammy hopeful than in an election.
How does that even compare? It’s sad when we get to the point that we are even taking these inane polls, but even sadder to see the results. Some would rather swoon over some rock star hopeful than decide who will lead our nation?
Some say their vote doesn’t count. Tell that to the Americans who died in the fight for our democracy.
Some say they simply don’t care. Tell that to a disabled Veteran.
Some say that voting is too hard or time consuming to do the research to make a decision. Tell that to the women who fought more than 70 years for their right to vote.
Unless you vote, as some young voters have indicated for “the best looking candidate,” then yes it does take a little time. But how much time would you invest in saving your nation from a nuclear attack or an economic melt down? Who you elect into office will be instrumental in preventing catastrophes like these.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Lyndon B. Johnson said, “A man without a vote is a man without protection.” Our forefathers must be spinning in their graves over the apathy exhibited by half of today’s voters.
There’s some truth to the saying, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” But more importantly, if you don’t vote, you won’t be heard. There’s still time.
—Letters—
‘I Would Sign Petition Even If You Were A Horse's Behind’
To The Record-Courier:
I understand someone questions the fact that I helped gather signatures on Aletha Bonebrake's petition to run for City Council. The day I heard that she had decided to run, but had to take care of her mother and would not have time to collect signatures herself, I volunteered to help. Given Aletha's history as the Director of our public library, I count my assistance to her as a shining example of public service. If someone wants to imply an ulterior motive to that, let them.
Every citizen has the right to run for office. In the past, I and my wife have signed petitions for Gail Duman, Andrew Bryan, Terry Schumacher, and others. We don't have to agree with anybody to support their right to run for office. Many people have asked "Why would anybody run for City Council?" Democracy only functions if the citizens participate. I would encourage anyone to run. I would sign your petition even if I thought you were a horse's behind. Whether or not I would vote for you or vote with you is another matter.
We don't need the derogatory nonsense of guilt by association or paranoid conspiracy theories in our local politics. There is quite enough of that at the national level, thank you. I am neither an unquestioning supporter, nor an unreasoning critic of the people who currently hold office in our city. Those who are elected will either agree or disagree on particular issues. It may be too much to ask for some of them to maintain an "arms-length" relationship or put aside personal enmity, but that is what is needed for the good of the city. Let's hope they can treat each other with respect, regardless of their opinions.
Clair Button
Baker City
Kerns Is Sportsman’s Friend
To The Record-Courier:
Tim Kerns needs to be re-elected to the Baker County Board of Commissioners. He recognizes that outdoor activities are a huge attraction in Baker County and takes necessary steps to ensure that generations to come will enjoy these activities as well.
Kerns believes that a healthy watershed is important in providing key wildlife habitat such as feed, shelter and cover as well as providing clean water and healthy streams for our fisheries. He wants every watershed in the County to be in as good environmental health as the Baker County Watershed.
Kerns supports and encourages the County to work with Wallowa Whitman National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry as well as the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife on creating better habitat and healthier forests which equates to better outdoor enjoyment for all.
Kerns is a long time County resident who deeply understands the quality of life that we enjoy here and pulls from his years of experience to keep what is important to us healthy and viable. Please join me in voting for Tim Kerns for Baker County Commissioner.
Russ Elms
Baker City
Vote Joseph For County Commissioner
To The Record-Courier:
The reason we're voting for Randy Joseph for County Commissioner is that he knows about alternative energy and has plans bring jobs to Baker County. He will work for us every day, keeping in mind our needs as he prioritizes the budget. There will be transparency in every decision he makes: He is a very honest person.
We urge you to join us and cast your vote for Randy Joseph.
Bobbie & Bill Tullock
Hereford
‘The Rest Of You Worry Me!’
To The Record-Courier:
I’m writing again to see if there can be a few points cleared up about the most important Presidential election in many years!
Most of the important issues have been covered by those who didn’t need a 10-pound hammer on the head to put their brain in gear. The rest of you worry me! Thanks to all of you who saw through Obama and his party. You, who explained what the First Amendment says and doesn’t say. Please folks don’t use this to count God’s opinion out and your view in. I will say it again, this Amendment has NOTHING to do with separation of Church and State. It’s not in there!
Here’s a short list to add to the list of Obama’s anti-Constitution views. He prosecutes people who use a gun for self-defense in the home, bans the sale of almost ALL hunting ammunition, increases taxes of firearms and ammunition by five hundred percent.
Sen. Jo Biden is on the same track as Sen. Obama when it comes to your guns. He’s voted to ban all semi-automatic firearms, to ban hunting, sporting and self-defense ammunition, ban magazines holding more than 10 rounds, and imposing waiting period on handgun sales. Just like Kennedy, Schumer, and Feinstein, Biden has pushed for these and many other anti-gun bills. This is a scary bunch for any law-binding gun owner. To cancel out these anti-American gun grabbers is just one of many other reasons I cannot vote Democrat.
McCain’s record on guns is very acceptable, and Sarah Palin being a life member of NRA makes me feel the Second Amendment is safe in their hands. Think about this, if Obama becomes President. Right now, both houses are under control by left wing liberals Democrats who think they know more about what you should have and do! Obama as president with their help will prove this to us. I have heard some very stupid reasons for an Obama vote! “He’s cute, he’s a fine speaker,” so was Hitler. Obama can’t hurt gun owners because of the last Supreme Court decision. Give me a break! With Democrats in power, Who do you thinks going to appoint liberal judges who will ban gun right same as before?
Again I say, if you are a believer in God’s Word, ABORTION is MURDER in God’s view and should be in yours. God’s way and views do not change with time as some seem to think. Read Psalm 139, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8. God warner in His Word, that Government, the people who went against His Word, ended up paying a dear price. It’s the same today! I would never say this to scare anyone, that’s not my purpose. But I remember when Christian values were employed, we were much more blessed than today. The Founding Fathers warn us about too much government being not too far from citizen to subject. We’ve come a long way “baby,” but a lot in the wrong direction!
Richard Fox
Baker City
Marsh Tells It Like It Is
To The Record-Courier:
I would like to comment on the hypocrisy of the two major parties and the independent party affiliations.
On pg. 16, 17 and 73 of the 2008 voter’s pamphlet, which projects the views of candidates running for State Treasurer’s office as “keepers of the public purse strings” you can see who the “fox in charge” will be, maybe.
The Republican who will be put in charge, if elected, Allen Alley, in which has the endorsement of the radical “Demos”, Gov. Kulongsoski, etc. Which is obviously one party/two party “collusions” to purse strings of the public till (trust, oversight, partisanship display?).
Read carefully what Michael Marsh has to say as a common man with common sense that lacks all the credentials of either Allen Alley or Ben Westlund (Demo) also candidate for “public purse strings” oversight.
He at least tells it like it is. Ben Westland (incumbent) also has the right priorities, which includes being on the ticket with the “Independent” party, (pg. 17 and pg. 33) he appears to also be a candidate of the party (third party) of Independents.
We all know that a guy like “Mick” who has the look of “Joe the plumber” as projected in pamphlet, and a constitutionalist to boot. As “off beat” will never make it in this “horse race” to “state’s purse strings to public’s till” (i.e. electronic (E) purse strings as bogus $ via credit to transfers) but at least he makes a very important issue. The “sign of the beast” means, as he puts it, a blackout of one’s I.D. #. To confuse the “E” machines as a “glitch” that denies one of their “share” of “credits” to purchase and pay taxes etc. The “sign of the beast” is the Serial # on one’s forehead, as thought to be, but Michael Marsh puts it in perspective as a “denial” of identification recognitive that “glitches” out one’s rights to “credits” by the “beast.” Hum?
This is an example of how the people’s money (i.e. taxes) by the socialistic “elite” will disburse funds via credits (called $) to emasculate (control) the citizens called customers/consumers now, to the politically correct agendas of the left and the right as by partisanship agreements.
Michael Marsh does at least tell it like it is as grab of power by the “elite”.
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
The Emperor Has No Clothes
To The Record-Courier:
Well. Senator Obama has passed muster and is ready to be president according to General Powell. How did he do that?
It must have been the aloofness and disdain he showed when the economic crisis hit. Call me if you need me!
Before Americans cast their ballots, they should look again. The Emperor has no clothes!
Robert Heriza
Baker City
Vote For Tim Kerns
To The Record-Courier:
I have worked with Tim Kerns for many years on numerous natural resource issues. He provides effective leadership for Baker County and should definitely remain in office. Please join me in voting for Tim Kerns for Baker County Commissioner.
Gordon W. Summers
Halfway, Ore.
Kerns Best Choice For County
To The Record-Courier:
I know that Tim Kerns for County Commissioner is the best choice for the voters of Baker County. Tim has a vast knowledge of the Agriculture business in the county, being in the business for years and years. He also has a great background in the Forest products and is currently working for the best interest of all timber owners and recreation people of our area.
He has years of experience working with the County Court, for the good of all people who live in this area of Eastern Oregon and works hard to see that we get the best representation for all. Tim was always very cooperative in the work that I did as an employee of the Assessment and Taxation office, answering all questions that came up and information that was required in that line of work. He has always been open and very friendly in all aspect of work with the employees, which they have accomplished through the years, realizing that the County will not work without an excellent work force in place.
The Government of the County has been running very smoothly with the current Commissioners and Staff of all Departments. There is not a great need for a lot of changes to be made. The old motto of "If it is not broke, don't fix it", Cast your vote for Tim Kerns, a good representative for all of our interests.
Dick Kirby, Retired Baker County Employee
Support Randy Joseph
To The Record-Courier:
It is the season for campaigning and a constant theme in signs, commercials, and speeches has been the need for “change.” While the focus has been on the Presidency, Senate and Congressional races and state offices, the same can be said about county government. Decisions and actions taken by our County Commission will have more immediate impact on us than those made on the other side of the continent - or state for that matter.
The County Commission makes decisions regarding county zoning, planning, economic development, health care, public safety, etc that affect our daily lives. Commissioners should reach out to the community for input and expertise, ensure transparency in public deliberations, and accountability for all county services and transactions.
We support Randy Joseph for County Commissioner because he has the skills and integrity to meet the challenges of governing Baker County. He has served as Chair on the Baker County Planning Commission and Renewable Energy Committee – both key areas in our County. In his personal capacity and as an appointed official Randy has promoted renewable energy-related development in the county: wind power, hydro power and wood chip/pellet production, in a manner that promotes local investment and employment.
In the past month we have heard Randy respond to many questions posed by a cross section of our county. His responses exemplify an openness and transparency, which are characteristics we find lacking in the current Commission. That is why we endorse Randy Joseph for County Commission.
Steve and Mickey Edwards
Baker City
Pro-Life, But Pro-War?
To The Record-Courier:
How is it that the term “pro-life” has been reduced to one thing – whether or not you believe that a woman has the right to make a personal, private, and often difficult decision to end a pregnancy?
The way abortion is talked about you would think that women had immaculate conceptions, that they were careless, immoral people of weak character. There is little mention of men’s responsibility for a pregnancy, of holding men accountable for their actions, of garnering men’s wages to raise a child they conceive, of public shaming if they refuse. There is little mention of the rape, incest, domestic violence that may have taken place, the men who walk away, the financial or emotional challenges, or the woman’s health. Only the unborn matter.
Yet many in the “pro-life” movement are either silent or supportive of war, of countless people being killed or maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of our actions. So why is it okay to destroy whole communities and spend billions on war, but not on family planning, health care, jobs, education, reversing climate change, and caring for our veterans? Why is war, torture, and their untold causalities and shattered lives acceptable, but a thoughtful decision by a woman to end her pregnancy is not? What is “pro-life” about forcing women to once again choose between an unwanted pregnancy or back alley butchers and coat hangers?
Being pro-life means ending the atrocity, the sickness that is war. It’s helping to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan and making peace a reality. Pro-life is about pouring our hearts, brains, and billions into renewable energy, universal health care, education, living wage jobs, safe water, air, soil and food, and social justice. Pro-life is about honoring the diversity of people and cultures on this planet. It’s about healing and restoring our environment and our relationships with each other. Be truly pro-life and abortions will become rare.
That is why in this election I will be voting for the true pro-life candidate for president, for the true pro-life team – I will be voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Suzanne Fouty
Baker City
Do You Trust Obama?
To The Record-Courier:
On the one hand you have Obama who was mentored by his preacher of 20 years who openly gave anti-American and anti-white sermons. Further, Obama was schooled by his alma-mater, Columbia University, which does not allow military recruiters on their campus, but instead invites anti-American speakers to their campus such as the leader of Iran.
In addition, Obama’s wife does not think highly of America either. Throughout her life, it wasn’t until her husband’s presidential campaign that she began to feel good about America. But more importantly its Obama’s actions that speak loudest. Prior to the presidential campaign, Obama aided anti-American terrorists by accusing the US military of intentionally slaughtering civilians in Iraq.
On the other hand you have the choice of McCain who risked his own life and has sacrificed more for his country than any other modern day president.
John Russell
Salem, Ore.
No On Measure 60
To The Record-Courier:
This November, voters have a long list of ballot measures to read and analyze, many brought by racketeer Bill Sizemore. One of his bad ideas is Ballot Measure 60, pay for performance.
Ballot Measure 60 is vague, poorly worded, and full of unintended consequences. It does not define how teachers’ performance will be measured, even though their jobs and pay depend on it. It does not define who is judging teachers or how they are being judged, which could leave critical decisions about our local schools in the hands of Salem bureaucrats.
Ballot Measure 60 is unfair to students and teachers. Measure 60 will unfairly punish teachers who take on the most challenging assignments. Teachers who work in low-income areas or have a lot of special education students will be paid less because their students may not do as well on standardized tests.
Measure 60 shortchanges our students. Instead of teaching kids to think, solve problems, and develop the skills they need to succeed, teachers will focus on preparing students to do better on standardized tests since their pay will be based on test scores. It does not define student performance, so we have no way of assessing teachers’ impact on their students.
Worst of all, Ballot Measure 60 takes money away from where our schools need it most – in the classroom. Measure 60 may cost millions of dollars a year to implement. This is money better spent reinvesting in smaller class sizes, adding back lost programs, hiring more teachers, fixing leaky roofs or buying new textbooks.
Please join me in voting NO on Ballot Measure 60.
Jamey Hardy
Baker City
No More Sizemore
To The Record-Courier:
Have you ever wondered what racketeer Bill Sizemore is thinking? Year after year he assaults public workers and schools with badly written, poorly conceived ballot measures that the public is too smart to endorse. Since 1994 he has gathered signatures on no less than 10 potential ballot measures each election cycle with many of those gaining enough signatures to reach the ballot. He keeps recycling the same old measures year after year and year after year Oregon’s voters tell him no.
He has committed fraud and signature gatherers working for his organizations have been convicted of forgery. He has said “There’s simply no way the local elections office can carefully check the signatures on hundreds of thousands of ballots in a short period of time. If the signatures were traced, they probably wouldn’t catch the forgeries anyway, even if they looked carefully at each one.”
Worst of all, he has turned Oregon’s initiative system into a money making scheme that allows him a high standard of living. An editorial by The Oregonian editorial board says, “Sizemore discovered long ago there are wealthy ideologies willing to pay handsomely to have him turn Oregon's initiative system into their personal playground. In this election, the millionaires behind the Sizemore curtain are Loren Parks, a former Oregon medical device manufacturer now living in Nevada, and Richard Wendt, founder of Jeld-Wen, a Klamath Falls manufacturing company.”
This year Sizemore has authored Ballot Measures 58, 59, 60, 63 and 64. Just say no to Bill Sizemore! Vote no on all of these and pull the plug on the Sizemore fraud and moneymaking scheme.
Judy Trohkimoinen
Baker City
Kerns Has Experience
To The Record-Courier:
Tim Kerns served Baker County residents very well over the past eight years as our County Commissioner. He has demonstrated a calm steadying influence on all issues keeping the system of checks and balances working in our county government. He firmly embraces a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Tim will continue to work for all of us in Baker County.
There is absolutely no substitute for his 8 years experience as our Baker County Commissioner. Please join me and support Tim Kerns with your vote for Baker County Commissioner, Position #1.
Judge Larry D. Cole, Retired
Haines
Inaction Has Consequences
To The Record-Courier:
So Joe Six Pack, you just filled out your ballot and voted for freedom by marking the John McCain/Palin ticket. I hate to discourage you, but Oregon is solidly blue and the electoral college system means you just wasted your vote. You didn’t even protest by writing Sarah for the top spot or Ron Paul. And keep in mind that John McCain is “the biggest free trader in history” and John teamed up with Ted Kennedy in trying to pass “comprehensive immigration reform” or blanket amnesty for those who were paying attention.
Comprehensive immigration reform will be passed soon after Obama takes office and your population will increase by 44 million. The word will be out, south of the border, that America still doesn’t have the will to defend itself and a new wave of “immigrants” will be on the way. America is now 28 percent foreign born and it will only get worse. This will make Thousand Friends of Oregon very happy because they can fight “sprawl” by more planning and zoning and rights restrictions.
That fight is going on right now in Baker County with the draft of our new county land use plan. It’s a doozy. I see that foreign corporations have rights even if the native born are being forced to live behind the urban growth boundary, like it or not. Land prices will still be artificially high because almost all land outside of the city limits has been zoned into large unaffordable blocks of timber/ grazing or forest land regardless or productivity. Almost everything outside of the urban growth boundary is in one of these categories. It is designed to keep the feudal state of the rich owning land and the peasants in the cities. Only the newly arrived with pockets full of cash can hope to live outside of town. Definitions of “farm land,” “open space,” and “range land” are designed to make sure that the urban left remains in control. Wallowa County is 67 percent absentee land owners now and I’ll bet that other counties in Oregon are the same, but who knows, no one seems to be interested in finding out who owns Oregon or if these new land owners are even American citizens.
If Joe Six Pack can force himself to pay a little bit of attention in the next few months there is some hope of reversing the socialist trend in Oregon. It’s called the Big Look. This task force is though meeting and will report to the legislature in January. Some good things are in there. The most important is the possibility of returning land use decisions to the counties and it could happen if you get on the pone or computer and tell Ted Ferrioli and Cliff Bentz to (get some courage) and fight the urban left. Power has been in the hands of Portland long enough. The same goes for your local county commissioners. Support for change needs to start at the local level. If you just set by and let the true believers retain the McCall control over your lives your children and grandchildren will come to regret your inaction.
A few years of an Obama victory of open borders and gun control might put you in the mood to fight back but you can fire the first shot against the feudal state right here in Baker County by trying to loosen the state control through land control by reading and commenting on Baker County’s land use plan. Its many pages of lawyer jargon designed to make sure the state remains in absolute control. First step get involved in making sure the Big Look gives control back to the counties. Next step get involved in Baker County land use decisions. Next step get involved in trying to break eastern Oregon off from the rest of the state. Last step armed insurrection. Ballots hurt less than bullets, so get involved now.
In the meantime hold on to your wallet with one hand and your gun with the other and take some Spanish lessons.
Steve Culley
Baker City
Kerns For County Commissioner
To The Record-Courier:
I am writing in support of Tim Kerns for County Commissioner. Tim has staying power in our community. His leadership reflects his deep commitment to agriculture, which is directly linked to maintaining our beautiful landscape for healthy tourism.
Tim doesn't need to tout "change" because he understands that the roots of sustainable agribusiness preserves the natural beauty that is unique to Baker County. Tim has long been a proponent of the scenic byways and interpretive work being done to keep the county's history alive for visitors and locals alike.
Behind Tim's impish grin and mirthful laugh is a man with a great wealth of knowledge about Baker County, its people and its tax base. Tim understands the hard work being done by Baker County residents. He puts his boots on every day in support of his constituents and reveres the land that puts food on our tables. Tim is a man of Baker County, vote for Tim Kerns.
Amy Dunkak
Baker City
Setting The Record Straight
To The Record-Courier:
The following article was printed in The Oregonian Sunday, Oct. 26.
""Suit Tossed"" U.S. District Judge Barclay Surrick in Philadelphia has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Sen. Barack Obama's qualifications to be President. On Friday night, Surrick rejected the suit by Attorney Phillip Berg, who alleged that Obama was not a U. S. citizen and therefore ineligible for the Presidency. Berg claimed that Obama is either a citizen of his father's native Kenya or became a citizen of Indonesia after he moved there as a boy. Obama was born in Hawaii.
This is in response to letters in the RC dated Oct. 23.
Arneta T. Lonzway
Oregon City
There’s No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
To The Record-Courier:
Let’s see, we’ve been kicking the Administration for a $400 billion deficit brought about by “Bush’s War” then Congress passed a stimulus plan costing $150 billion, then $110 billion to bail out AGI. Next, it was $42 billion to assist in the Bear Stearns merger, followed by $700 billion to bail out Wall Street. Pelosi, et al, is now pushing for another stimulus amounting to $50 billion, although they are now talking about increasing this from $50 billion to possibly as high as $300 billion.
“President Obama” would spend $1 trillion on national health care and various other programs AND tax the “wealthy” in order to redistribute wealth via “tax credits” (read: “welfare”) to people who pay no taxes at all, but “nobody who makes under $250,000 would see their taxes rise a penny.” Somehow, the math just doesn’t seem to add up. If Obama gives a tax reduction to 95% of Americans as planned (although 35-40% of Americans don’t pay any taxes) it will take $19 from the other 5% to cover each $1 to be redistributed. Is the old adage “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” still operable? In a poll of 751 executives held by Executive Magazine, 80% of executives said McCain would do a better job with the economy than Obama, adding that they “fear” an Obama presidency. That’s a quote.
If we get a Democrat controlled House and Senate, which it appears we will, there would be no check of any kind on the Obama plan. In addition to all this, we could end up with the most liberal Supreme Court since the Warren Court. I don’t know about you, but this whole scenario scares me to death.
All you Republicans out there who are thinking about voting for Barack Obama should give this some serious thought before you mail your ballot!!
(Mrs.) Alberta Bailey
Baker City
Vote For Open, Responsive Government
To The Record-Courier:
The first time a Randy Joseph campaign sign was vandalized at a friend's house, it was ripped in half and the stake was broken. The fourth time, the perp drove on the lawn and ran over both signs. Are people so afraid of losing their power and perks in a free and fair election that they are compelled to commit criminal acts?
Milo Pope thinks that if you don't agree with him, then you are an "opinionated nincompoop," akin to a dog barking in the night. If nothing else, his canine analogy displays a profound contempt for the participatory democratic process. He and the City Manager, whom he supports, are on the same wavelength there. Pope was asked to run by Councilor Bryan, one of Baker City’s premier Crony Capitalists, who was just recently appointed County Marketing Director without having to compete. Pope also served on the board of Mountain Valley Mental Health with Dr. Levinger, and both opposed serious inquiry into its mismanagement.
Councilor Terry Schumacher, who brought Baker County the fabulous Thunder Mountain Motorsports Park, also seeks our votes. Although both Gail Duman and Beverly Calder received hundreds more votes than he did, Shumacher has repeatedly (verbally) attacked "these women" when they have tried to have public discussion of matters important to their constituents. While Gail Duman attempted to contain the City Manager's profligate spending by voting against the proposed budget, Mr. Schumacher went right along. Instead of focusing on City business, he used Council time to inappropriately campaign against Mrs. Duman during a meeting. He, alone among Councilors, even supported mandatory garbage collection.
If you support common sense, fiscal responsibility, open transparent government and respect for the public's participation in the public's business, vote for Gail Duman, Clair Button, and Aletha Bonebrake for Council.
Christopher Christie
Baker
(Editor’s note: Councilor Andrew Bryan is on the record as having not specifically asked Milo Pope to run for city council)
Vote For These Candidates
To The Record-Courier:
While election issues fade, candidates’ governing skills and attitudes endure. This is why I will be voting for Joseph for Commissioner and Bonebrake, Button, Gilpin, and Duman for City Council. These candidates demonstrate the values of a living democracy: inclusion, fairness, openness, and accountability.
Some of our officials appear to make decisions that suit them and view citizens as nuisances to be tolerated. People have been labeled, insulted, and arbitrarily cut off. This process has been spun as “bickering,” implying all are at fault. Perhaps those who like the “bickering” label would consider the American Revolution merely inconsequential bickering between the colonies and the king. Dissent is as American as apple pie and makes for better government when all are respected. Duman has demonstrated dissent, not bickering.
I found responses at the voters forum instructive in weighing candidates’ leadership potential and wish more voters had attended. While presenting himself as the folksy country lawyer, Milo Pope showed thinly veiled contempt toward others he considers “uninformed.” (but perhaps just disagree). More of the same we do not need. If Pope had the inclination and skills to “mediate” and “‘shut up’ and listen” (Record-Courier), he might have demonstrated them better in the community, such as in his roles as a Mtn. Valley Mental Health board member and president.
In response to a forum question about whether Candidate Kerns would favor quarterly written financial reports from a big budget tax supported agency the commissioners oversee, Kerns admitted not knowing what financial reports were being received and ducked the question of increased disclosure entirely. Joseph, on the other hand, took a stand for requiring more accountability to taxpayers at contract renegotiation time. Kerns also credited Joseph with being the leader for the development of renewable energy in Baker County.
Please join me in voting for candidates who will listen, inform, and hold themselves and others accountable. The skills and attitudes of Bonebrake, Button, Gilpin, and Duman are the real “bulwark” against “petty bickering”, while Joseph’s fresh ideas, energetic style and business-like standards will invigorate the Commission.
Suzanne Moses
Baker City
Stop Sizemore
To The Record-Courier:
Racketeer Bill Sizemore is at it again! This time he thinks he knows how to teach English to non-English speaking students. The poorly-written and poorly-conceived Ballot Measure 58 seeks to limit students from learning in any language other than English for 2 years.
Anyone coming to this country should speak English, right? Of course schools need to teach English to non-native speakers because without English no one can succeed in this country. Ballot Measure 58 is a one-size-fits-all mandate that takes away local control from parents and teachers who know students best. It puts obstacles in the way of student learning and sets an unrealistic timeline of how fast students should learn. It doesn’t take into account students with special needs and puts too much pressure on students and teachers.
Measure 58 is vague and full of unintended consequences. Measure 58 is so poorly written it doesn’t specify how the system would work, who qualifies for the program, or how it would be implemented. And because it’s so poorly written, some students would be limited to only one year of learning English.
Sizemore has no background in education, but continues to promote unsuccessful initiatives that try to take away money and control from our local schools. This latest Sizemore scheme could end up costing hundreds of millions of dollars to implement.
Please join me in voting “NO!” on Ballot Measure 58.
Tim Smith, Teacher
Baker City
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